Radical Transformation
~
"Alright - hey Mike, don't forget your kit," Leo reminded his brother, for their lunchtime of exercise hopefully today.
It was Thursday morning, and again the guys were late, though not as much as yesterday. They had made sure that they were at least earlier so that April didn't go mad at the steering wheel again. They didn't want a repeat of yesterday.
"Donny - hurry!" Leo shouted up the stairs with a sort of suggesting tone, really hoping that they wouldn't be late. He still had a small bruise on his head from where he was knocked against the window when April made a tight corner, and Raph and Mikey had rammed into him, causing him to hit his head again. Leo called up to his brother again to hurry up.
Donny came hopping down the stairs, trying to shove his black, purple- toed socks on.
"I'm ready!" He said, tripping down the last step, and landing on Mikey who was just passing to grab his rucksack.
"Ow Donny, watch the foot, it's still painful," Mikey warned his brother.
"Mikey? Kit?" Leo asked, bag already on his shoulder, sneakers already on his feet.
"Yes! I got it Leo!" Mikey yelled underneath Donny, who was sat on Mikey, now pulling his sock on much easier.
"Where's Raph?!" Leo said.
"I'm here," Raph said, stood behind him, ready as well for once.
Mikey was now tapping his fingers on the floor, his head in the other hand, waiting for Donny to move so he could get up.
"Done," Donny said, and jumped up. "Hey, after three weeks I'm still a little clumsy with socks."
"Yeah well I ain't got a shell or plastron any more," Mikey complained, rubbing his back, "so don't sit on me again. I could feel my ribcage."
His brothers shook their heads, and Splinter appeared from his room, smiling having just heard. He waked over to the kitchen where he started to make his usual tea, after saying good morning to his sons, and having it said back.
"Okay guys," April said, jogging down the stairs, all ready for work. "You ready?" She hurried about getting her bag ready, and grabbing something from the kitchen to eat at work.
"Did you enjoy your evening yesterday?" Splinter asked his sons, picking up his warm mug and taking it to his chair.
"Yeah, thanks Master," Mikey said, his enthusiasm back. "It was great - we watched a few films, then I did dinner, and then Prida fell asleep and her sister picked her up -"
"Okay, Mikey, we gotta go, save the detail," Leo said, bowing to his Sensei and moving out the door, his brothers and April followed, each saying bye to Splinter, who chuckled at Mikey before the door was closed and locked.
()()()()
School today went more quickly than the guys would have thought. Maybe it was because the start of it had gone well. April hadn't drove as mad as before, and they had got out of the car unscathed. Their registration went fast, and their first class, Math went well . . . for all of them.
"Hey Leo," Prida said as she saw him first time that day in Math. She looked slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry for falling asleep yesterday -"
Leo held up his hands. "I'm not accepting any more 'thanks yous' or 'sorries'."
She laughed and hit him playfully on the arm, then the two took their seats and their class began. Prida was wearing the same blue jeans as Leo was, and a peach colored, baggy-ish top. Leo soon told her what happened after she fell asleep, which was nothing much, but she didn't remember dropping asleep on Raph's shoulder, and she laughed when he told her.
"Hey you up for a little gym activity at lunch?" Leo reminded her.
"Sure, got m' kit," Prida answered, smiling. She seemed more cheerful than usual. Not that she wasn't cheerful before, but there was a little difference.
After Math class, they both walked out together and headed down the Math corridor, coming up to Donny's room, where they waited outside a few seconds for him, before continuing on to Raph and Mikey's room.
"Hey Prida," Donny said as he joined them and they started walking again. "How are ya?" He asked politely.
"I'm great, thanks Don, you seem well."
"I'm good," Donny nodded, walking with Prida in the middle.
Raph and Mikey nearly walked into them as they came level with the door. They hadn't rushed out this time, but walked out casually.
"Hey, why aren't you guys rushing out, with Reily behind you or something?" Donny asked, frowning.
"He's away," Mikey smiled. "Some other dude took the class, and he's cool."
"That's okay because the dude likes the game Rayman as well, and he and Mikey were talking all through the class," Raph said, though he didn't look as bitter as he always did when coming from the Math room.
Then, finished rolling their eyes at each other, they both noticed Prida, and smiled.
"Hey Pri," they both said at the same time, smile faltered and they looked at each other again, shrugged and walked on. Leo, Don and Prida followed.
As they rounded the corner, someone came dashing around it, and knocked into Leo, who lost his balance and landed flat on his butt.
"Owch, oh God, sorry," Roxanne picked herself up after falling too, and rubbed her banged elbow.
Leo was helped up by Mikey. "Oh, hey, no sweat."
"Do you usually dash around corners?" Donny asked.
"No, sorry, I was just - er - outrunning Jared, one of Jo Tooks' stupid friends," Roxanne said, a dark tone in her voice.
"Oh, well, now he's got his little friends on people," Prida muttered, feeling angry. "Don't worry, if he bothers you, just punch him."
Roxanne laughed. "I'll try," she joked back.
Seeing that they were late for their next classes, they all quickly picked up their pace. Mikey disappeared into his Art room a few seconds later, and after that Donny disappeared into his Geography room. The left over four ran over the field and to the Sports Center.
()()()()
"Argh!"
Most of the kids in the corridor turned to look at the cute dude in orange as he yealled in horror at something no one else could see. It was recess, and there was a lot of heads that turned.
"Mikey?" Donny said, uncovering his ears. "Why'd you scream like that? What's wrong?"
They were leaning against the lockers, waiting for Leo, Raph and Prida, maybe accompanied by Roxanne.
"I remembered; I forgot to pack some food!" Mikey cried, as though this was the worst thing you could do.
Donny rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I'm sure Leo woulda packed something - and I'm SURE you can go without eating for one dinner time . . . after all, we don't have much longer here."
"You think he did?" Mikey asked, looking at Donny with those humorously panicked eyes.
"No, not really," Donny answered, looking down the corridor at Tooks, who looked as though he was bullying someone.
"Hi," someone said behind him, and he turned to Michael Deta, who was smiling.
"Oh, hey, Michael," Donny said. "Where've you been for a few days?"
"There's a bug going around, I caught it - no worries though, I'm cured," he laughed.
Leo and co. joined them a minute later, and as Donny thought, Roxanne was with them. She seemed to stay close to Leo at one point, back to him while searching the crowd. Obviously Tooks' gang were more annoying than first appearance, because she seemed to be keeping an eye out for him. And just as Leo arrived, Mikey pounced on him, demanding to know if he brought any food with him.
"Geez, you'd think no one feeds him, or he hasn't eaten for days," Michael laughed.
"Yeah well, that's Mikey," Donny shook his head. "Always got food on the brain."
The bell rang, and most of the corridor dispersed to their rooms. Donny happily announced they had English, and reminded them that they had to have that draft Essay in for today.
"What?" Mikey exclaimed, as they walked to their room. "I haven't even thought about it - and you couldn't have done it because you was with us all day yesterday." He said to Donny.
"Hey, just because I didn't do it on paper doesn't mean I haven't planned in my head," Donny grinned, and glanced at the look of awe on their faces. He shrugged and walked into the English room.
And indeed Donny was right, and the draft Essay was meant to be in for that class. Some other people had finished it, few had started, and the rest hadn't even got that far. The teacher asked a few to read theirs out, and when she picked out Donny, he stood up, waked to the front, and recited his from memory.
"Man, he's freaky," Mikey whispered to Leo, who nodded. "I would never be able to think up all that in my head, and then say it all out."
And fifteen minutes later Donny was still talking. This was a timed speech about how much of Macbeth they understood, so Donny had probably received full marks for the first ten minutes because everyone else's was about five minutes long. After seventeen minutes, the teacher stopped him and said well done, but she had to hear more people. Donny shrugged and sat back down, amazed looks following him.
"Great, now EVERYONE knows YOU," Leo said as Donny sat next to him. "We're meant to be in-vis-a-ble!"
"I couldn't help it," Donny said, lowing his head, but smiling, proud of himself.
It was after their next class, Chemistry, was it lunchtime, and Leo reminded his brothers, exercise time. Leo was looking forward to it, because he could do more than what they do in PE. He had invited Roxanne to join them, and she had agreed, saying she didn't really need anything to eat and would go without. Totally the opposite of Mikey, who, if he heard that, would probably faint.
So after Chemistry, they met up with Prida and Roxanne who were in different rooms, and made their way to the gym. They had asked Leo how he knew if the gym was free, and he replied that on the first day they came here he had asked for the times and bookings of the gym. Thursdays it was free at lunchtimes and after school, so they made their way down there.
"I'll happily just help Raph and Casey kick the vermin in this Town, at least then I could go out and buy something to eat while we're doing it," Mikey complained while getting changed. He had another of Casey's baggy gray T-shirts, and a pair of navy shorts. Donny and Leo had the same, but Raph had slacks, saying he didn't really want to show everyone the massive scar on his shin.
They entered the gym, grabbing a basketball from a pile and shooting a few shots before the girls came out, Prida tying her necklace back. She was never seen without it, not even in PE. Prida wore light lavender purple jogging shorts, which really showed her slim legs, ending in her white sneakers and ankle socks. Roxanne's shorts looked the same except they were blue, and she had no socks on under her bright orange sneakers.
"Yo, catch," Mikey tossed the ball to Prida, and she caught it, twirled it on her finger, passed it round her body and took a lucky shot from where she was. The ball hit the backboard, wobbled on the ring before it slowly fell through the hole.
"Whoa, pretty good," Roxanne said, smiling. Prida smiled back, but then frowned as Roxanne's smile disappeared. She was staring behind Prida, who turned, and her eyes widened.
Jo Tooks strode into the gym with his gang behind him, changed, with a Basketball under one arm. It seemed it had the same idea. He spotted the guys, and then her, and a sick smirk flickered across his face as he looked her up and down. She hated it; she wanted to go get changed right now, but Tooks spoke before she moved.
"Looks like we all had the same idea," he said, the four bros frowning at him in dislike as he moved in-between them. "Wanna play against us? And we'll cut a deal to which ever side wins . . ."
Prida shook her head at Raph, who was about to say something but Leo stepped in, glaring at Tooks.
"We're not making any deal with you, we came here to use the gym by ourselves so why don't you go," he said in a cold tone. Prida sighed in relief and was about to turn to the changing rooms with Roxanne, but -
"What? You don't want to compete?" Tooks grinned. "Afraid we'll win? Can't take it, huh?"
"Shut up Tooks," Leo threatened.
"What are you . . . chicken?" Took grinned nastily.
That did it. Raph pointed a finger. "Okay pal, get ready to lose! You're going down!"
"Raph," Leo groaned. Whenever someone says something insulting Raph could never ignore it. Prida rolled her eyes irritably.
Tooks grinned. "Okay, here's the deal: If our side wins . . . I get to take Prida to the disco -"
"No way!" Raph stormed up to him but Leo held him back. Took appeared unbothered. He glanced at Prida, who was looking mortified. Roxanne was next to her looking disgusted.
"If we WIN," Tooks repeated. "I take Prida to the disco and you guys kiss those Sais goodbye because they'll be mine." He grinned and licked his bottom lip wickedly, then one of his gang stepped up to him and tapped him on the shoulder, muttered something while grinning, and glanced at Roxanne. "Yeah, yeah," Tooks said to him, and turned back to the guys. "And also, Jared here gets her," he pointed to Roxanne, whose face blanked.
"And if we win?" Leo asked, glaring.
"You buy us lunch!" Mikey shouted. He shrugged as everyone looked at him, Leo sighed in annoyance, and turned back to Tooks.
"If we win, you leave Prida alone, and Roxanne, you get off our backs . . . and you don't go saying a word about . . ." Leo said, never breaking eye contact with Tooks, who knew what he was on about.
Thinking it was too hard to leave Prida alone, Took was ready to protest, but instead he nodded, and he and Leo gripped each other's hands tightly to seal the deal. Prida and Roxanne's mouths were open still.
"Geeze, I'm a player, not a pawn that you can sacrifice," she argued, clearly annoyed.
A few people outside of the gym and in the doorway had heard the deal, and had walked in, leant against the wall and were ready to watch. No one said anything to them.
Leo walked up to Prida and Roxanne. "Hey, don't worry, we'll knock em down," he smiled. They returned it, though only half-heartedly.
Since they had six on their team, Leo motioned for Raph to step out until he could swap with someone else. Raph looked as though he was been whipped for no reason, but Leo pointed firmly to the benches against the wall. He thought that it was sensible to take Raph out, because if Tooks gets foul, so would Raph, and they'd be 'accidents'. Hopefully he wouldn't be out the whole game, because it would be a good excuse to run some of his energy down, and Leo didn't fancy being tired while Raph was still hyper.
Tooks and Leo faced each other, glaring, and Mikey held the ball to the side of them. He told them that he and his bros were shooting towards the changing rooms, and Tooks was shooting the other end. Mikey waited a few tense seconds, and then shouted 'GO!' at the same time as he threw the ball up in the air between them.
Both Leo and Tooks leapt into the air, and Leo grabbed the ball; but before he could throw it, he was elbowed in the stomach by Tooks, who then grabbed the ball and threw it to one of his gang, Ace, as he was called. But before Ace caught it, Donny had intercepted it, and was dribbling it here and there, avoiding the other players. He passed the ball to his other hand around his leg as someone dived for it, and threw it to Roxanne, who was open.
Leo was furious with both himself and Tooks. How could he have let him do that? Leo leapt to his feet and ran to help Roxanne, who was surrounded by Tooks' team. People who were watching were cheering.
"Yo! Roxy!" Mikey yelled, hands up, standing behind all of them. Roxanne managed to throw a really high shot to Mikey, who jumped and caught it. Since he was clear, he brought it towards his target, the net. But he heard Leo call out suddenly, and he ducked, saving himself a headache from Jared who was about to bash into him - but fell over Mikey. He may have saved himself a headache, but he just lost the ball. Another of Tooks' smarmy pals, Jay, grabbed it and dribbled it down the court before passing it to Tooks, who took a shot and scored.
His team cheered, as well as a few of the people watching, but most shook their heads and some braved enough to 'boo'. Tooks slapped Jay a high five, and glared triumphantly at Leo, who still had a hand on his stomach.
But the game got a lot more violent. As they continued, Raph thought he'd repay Tooks for what he did to Leo, but since Tooks seemed to be keeping his distance from Raph, the teen in red tripped up Ace as the evil friend-of-the-enemy ran past, knocking him down just as he was about to receive the ball. Even though Raph got a 'Raph, you shouldn't swoop to their level' look from Leo, he felt better.
Now Donny had the ball again, and was making his way fast to his net. Before he could reach it, Luke, the forth member of Tooks' gang, tripped Donny up. But Don fell forwards and into a roll, coming up to face the net and throwing the ball. It landed on the backboard, and spun around on the ring before dropping through. A much louder crowd cheered for that one, and Donny slapped Mikey a high five, grinning.
Tooks' face was sour, and he turned back to his gang and brought his finger across his neck, signaling for his team to 'kill 'em'. Then he turned back, eyes on Prida as she jogged over to Raph on the bench. She was so perfect. Tooks had been after her since they started Kindergarten together. She would soon like him, if not then Tooks could think of other persuasions . . . throwing Raph and his brothers in jail was one. Tooks grinned evilly to himself again. He loved blackmail - but even though he could get those identical four put away, he still wanted to know why all these clues fit in with them, and why, if it was true, did they use the sewers?
The game started to get a lot rougher from Tooks' side, and soon the score was three two to Tooks, and Leo knew he couldn't lose this game at all. It was only until Mikey got injured did he realize their opponents were just as determined as they were.
Tooks had grabbed the ball again, dribbling it a couple of yards before passing it to Jay, who caught it, spun, and passed it to Ace nearer to the net, but Mikey was there to intercept, and he caught the ball. Tooks growled as Mikey ran past Jay and Ace with the ball, stopped, and threw it to Leo, who passed it to Prida, who scored. It was now a tie, and Tooks was mad.
When they resumed play, Tooks threw it to Jared, who dribbled it down the court to their target. While everyone was following him, Tooks ran up behind Mikey, knocking into him and at the same time stamping down as hard as he could on Mikey's foot - the one Tooks himself trapped in the door.
Mikey's face immediately screwed up in pain, and he lifted his foot off the floor, in too much agony to say anything but wince fiercely. Tooks ran past him, half smiling to himself for getting that one back. He had taken a disliking to Mikey for some reason, even though the dude hadn't done anything to him.
Mikey fell to the floor on his butt, eyes mere slits because of the pain, clutching his leg to keep his foot off the floor and to keep from using his muscle to lift it. Everyone was busy trying to engage the others that they didn't notice; all except Raph, who just saw it.
"Mikey!" He leapt off the bench and dashed over to his brother, dropping to the floor next to him.
Tooks' gang had now scored, and the guys, Prida and Roxanne groaned and turned away to walk back up the court. That was when they saw Mikey and Raph on the floor. Leo rushed over frowning, Donny, Rox and Prida right behind.
"Mikey what is it?" Leo asked, quite concerned because Mikey looked in so much pain.
"Tooks," Raph growled, glaring at him. He was about to get up and go over to the git but Leo pulled him down, shaking his head.
"Stood - on my - foot!" Mikey managed.
Donny bent down. "I have to have a look at it, it could have pulled the stitches out or something." Donny gently untied Mikey's sneakers, while Tooks and his gang smirked and laugh nastily.
"Ow!" Mikey moaned, as Donny, as gently as he could, pulled his sneaker off his foot. Relief spread through them when they saw no blood.
"It might have popped the stitches, I'm not sure," Donny said.
Prida knelt down next to Mikey's shoulder, and laid a hand on it.
"Okay, I gotta take ya to the nurse so she can have a look at it and tell you what's the damage," Donny said, putting the sneaker down and lifting Mikey gently under one arm, while Raph got the other. Prida supported his back for him.
"Aw man, just when we were competing, I have to get injured again," Mikey moaned. "S'not fair!" Donny dragged him away.
Tooks and the others were pointing to poor Mikey and laughing still, and Leo felt so angry. He fixed Raph with his eyes and gave his head a small, firm jerk, meaning 'get in this game now!' Raph obediently stepped up, now part of the game, glaring at Tooks and flexing his fingers. Leo didn't care if Tooks got hurt now; that was the second time he deliberately hurt Mikey, and Leo wouldn't stand for anyone to hurt his brothers and get away with it.
"You're going down," Raph said as they all got ready to resume the game. " . . . painfully . . ." Raph added.
Tooks only glared back and said, "Not if you wanna keep your identical butts outta jail." Raph ground his teeth together; steam practically rising from him.
For the next part of the game, Leo took the ball, and passed it to Prida. They now only had four players, while Tooks still had five. Tooks seemed happy about this, which made the others angrier.
Prida was dribbling it down the middle of the court, coming up to her target. Tooks and his gang flanked her, and she glanced back quickly to see. Roxanne was behind the lot in case they grabbed the ball and she could sneak it back from behind.
She stared to her right at Raph, and prepared to throw the ball to him, and Tooks' group immediately started to rush over and try to intercept.
"Leo!" Prida called, and, while still looking at Raph, she threw the ball to her left to Leo, who caught it and slam-dunked it.
"Yes!" Prida grinned, and pumped her fist in the air. Raph slapped her a high five, while Leo, still hanging from the ring, fell lightly to the floor.
Jay, Ace, Jared and Luke were all confused with the name change, but Tooks was furious. They were tying again, and he couldn't let them. Time to injure someone else, but who? Tooks didn't want Prida to be harmed at all; that Leo was too much a leader, but he could keep everyone else in check, which was a good thing but also a bad; Roxanne was okay, Tooks was sure Jared wanted to see her running around; Raph was too dangerous, threatening Tooks . . . he would have to go. Tooks called his group over and he told them who to try and take out, if necessary, knock out. To Tooks, the brothers were almost recognizable from each other, apart from Leo and Donny, who he got mixed up; but his teammates didn't have a clue who was who, so it would have to be color-coded. Tooks pointed out the one in the red bandanna, and they all grinned evilly.
Leo saw the little huddle, and the evil grins, and didn't like it one bit. They had been snickering at Raph. Leo looked at his brother, who was scanning the audience they had gathered. Leo looked back to Tooks to see them all slap hands and break up. What were they going to do?
It was, to Leo, either an accident, or was just to be unfair, what two of them did as the game continued. Roxanne had the ball after taking it from Jay easily, and she took it down to her net, ready to pass to Raph, who seemed to be open. Leo was stood with his arms ready just in case she decided to throw to him. But as Rox threw the ball, Jay and Jared came up amazingly fast on either side of Raph, jumping into the air and crushing the teen in-between them. Raph, who was just about to jump for the ball, was stopped about two inches above the floor, and elbowed rather hard on the head as Jay's arm grabbed the ball and jerked back from the impact as it hit his palm. They all fell back with gravity, and Raph fell to the floor, hand on his head and looking dazed. Leo and the others had stared for that second, but Raph got up, unscathed, but a slight disorientated expression on his face. Roxanne had dashed after Jay who now had the ball, while Prida and Leo ran up to Raph.
"You oka -" Leo began.
"I'm fine, get the ball," Raph said shortly, fire in his eyes, even though his face was neutral.
Leo nodded and shot off after Roxanne. Prida put a hand on Raph's arm, looking concerned.
Tooks wasn't too happy viewing this. He snorted, and growled even more as Leo jumped an amazing height in the air, saving the ball before it dropped into Tooks' net only a foot away. Before Leo had landed he had thrown it to Roxanne, over the heads of the others. Roxanne grabbed it, and dribbled it down the court back to their net, way ahead of any of Tooks' gang. She had a grin on her face, and Leo watched with his own smrik as she threw and scored. She threw her hands in the air, and Prida ran over and slapped her a high five and a low five. They grinned and looked at Leo, who looked impressed by the girls' basketball skills.
Tooks noticed how they seemed to look to Leo for appraisal; maybe he should be taken down instead of Raph. Taking both of them out wouldn't be easy, and of course Prida would hate Tooks more and he didn't want that. It would have to be one of them . . . Tooks smiled to himself. He could be so evil sometimes, just to get what he wants.
The next part was long as neither got any scores because everyone seemed much too determined to keep the ball away from their opponents net. Ace started off with the ball, and managed to pass it around Roxanne to Jared, who grinned as Roxanne ran to him. She stopped, and Jared took this opportunity to dribble it down his court. But Leo ran across his path and he was forced to throw to Tooks, who was about to grab it but a flash of sandy colored hair and a slip of red passed him, and the ball was no longer aiming at him. It was bouncing its way down the court in Raph's hand. Tooks growled, and ran after him. Luke and Jared ran at the side of Raph, and the red teen passed to Leo, just as the two stuck a leg out in front of both of Raph's, and he went tumbling, unable to jump over them. Jared and Luke grinned and set off after the ball and Leo, who was dangerously close to his net. Raph jumped back up, nose stinging and bleeding where he had smacked it on the floor. He was mad.
"We should have had Donny devise a strategy for this," Leo muttered to himself as he watched Prida pass to Roxanne. "This is something different to what we usually tackle." Man he felt restrained because this opponent was one he couldn't beat to a pulp.
As Roxanne was about to dribble closer to their net, she found herself trapped, and knowing the opposite team would get the ball anyway if she threw to the net, she passed it back to Prida, who caught it, dribbled slightly closer, leapt and scored. But when she landed, the oncoming wave of opponents couldn't stop themselves in time and crashed into her, knocking her to the floor. She let out a cry of surprise that cut off quickly as she impacted with the floor.
Leo dashed over to her, while the others, Jay, Jared, Ace and Luke all looked actually sorry and guilty, moved away. Tooks stormed up to them looking furious.
"Don't dare do that again," he threatened darkly, though he was usually nice with his friends.
His friends looked guilty and said they'd be more careful, because Tooks reminded them that if she injured herself then he wouldn't be able to go with her to the disco, which would make him angry, and a living hell to go to school with. But they did say it was an accident.
Roxanne and Raph joined Leo and Prida, who were climbing to their feet.
"Ow, my ankle," Prida winced, lifting her foot off the floor, balancing on her other while holding onto Leo's shoulder for support.
"I think you ought to sit it out," Leo said, then biting his lip.
"No! I can't," Prida said, frowning, as though what Leo said was totally insane. "I have to help you guys, you'll only have three players!"
"Prida, you can't run," Roxanne pointed out, hands on hips.
Prida looked at Leo, with a face what Mikey would cringe at because it was exactly what he does when he wants to do something when everyone's arguing against it. Leo smiled ever so slightly and raised an eyebrow, as in saying 'Nope, I'm not letting you continue.' Prida instead turned her cute puppy-dog eyes on Raph.
"Out," he said, pointing to the bench, then slapping himself mentally for sounding like Leo. Prida gave up, and limped over to the bench where she sat down, arms folded as though she had been bad and had been told off.
Tooks watched her limp. It didn't look that bad, but for once he secretly agreed with the other three for sending her out. It could get worse, and then where would he be without her to accompany him to the disco? He turned back, grabbing the ball, which Luke had just passed to him, and the game started again.
"What exactly are we going to?" Roxanne asked, counting their scores so far, which was six four to them. Two more than Tooks' team.
"Ten!" Jared, who was running past, shouted, grinning at her.
"Thanks for informing us now!" Raph growled. "He could have said eight at the beginning, and since we're winning changed it to ten so he had a better chance of catching up . . ."
Leo agreed with his brother, it was probably something Tooks would do; but they would go to ten anyway.
Prida watched from her bench as Tooks took possession of the ball and made his way down to his net with it. Leo ran across his path and snatched the ball out the way, but just after he did, he was tripped by Jared, who then grabbed the ball. He passed back to Tooks, who was closest to the net and scored. Roxanne narrowed her eyes at Jared and ran to help Leo to his feet.
"You okay?" She asked, grabbing his arm and pulling him up, surprised for a brief second because of the hidden muscles that she could feel.
"I'm good," Leo assured her, and glanced at Tooks who was smirking.
Prida realized later that, injured ankle or no injured ankle, they needed her in. As Leo took the ball this time, it looked like his team was going for another score, until Ace ran into Leo, who managed to throw the ball to Raph before Ace could grab it. But Raph was attacked too. He leapt out the way as Jay ran at him, and spun away from Luke; but he couldn't avoid collision with Ace, and they both went down, the ball bounced a few times before it was picked up by Tooks, who took it down the court, passing it to Jared, and then scored. This wasn't basketball, this was like friggin' football!
"Alright!" Jared slapped Tooks a high five. They were even once again, and it seemed that everyone on the opposite team was injured except for Roxanne, who was looking worried.
"This isn't fair," Roxanne said to the two bros, who were picking themselves off the floor. "Those guys are gonna flatten us, literately."
"No way," Raph growled. "No one flattens us." He turned to Leo while Roxanne turned around to look at Tooks' gang. "Leo, this ain't us. It must be this stupid human body that's slowing us down! I mean, we were just crunched by a couple of humans."
"Raph, I think it's just because we don't realize that this isn't just a normal game," Leo said, glancing to see if Roxanne or anyone was listening. "We're loosing focus; concentrate, I'm sure we'll kick butt . . . "He grinned. "Think of Tooks as a Foot member." Then to make sure that had an effect, he added, "the Foot member that left Prida in the fire . . ."
Raph narrowed his eyes.
However, either Raph was right and it was their human bodies slowing them down; or Leo was right and the fact that it was a game didn't have the great persuasion of winning as it did if it were life threatening against the Foot. Just after the two brothers had spoken about it, they found the ball had again been snatched from their hands, and out through the net on the opposite team. Tooks was now one score ahead again.
As they all grinned wickedly and slapped hands, Leo, Raph and Roxanne made their way to Prida on the bench. She had her arms crossed and had put on an expression more or less saying 'admit it, you need me'.
"Looks like Tooks is one ahead again," Prida said, making herself look casual, but forcing that tone in her voice that was warningly.
They all glanced at her, and she continued to look away, fighting to smile. She knew they wanted to ask her back in.
"You wanna -" Leo started.
"Already in," Prida grinned, and held her hand up for a high five. He looked at it, smiled and slapped it, and they all stood up.
"You are stubborn when you want to be, ya know," Leo said, smiling.
"It's the only way to get ahead in this school," Prida grinned back. She looked happier now she was back in the game, and completely ignored the pain in her angle, which had lessened since the accident.
And indeed she felt happier knowing she was up there to kick Tooks' butt; and Leo and the others knew she helped them out getting back their lost scores. They managed to play perfectly, passing the ball to and from. It was a funny feeling, but Leo got the impression that Prida seemed to be the encouragement they all needed to play this game. Tooks didn't seem too happy about it, but he did at least seem relived that Prida's ankle was fine. It wasn't long before they were all on nine scores each, Tooks just having managed to get past Roxanne to slam it in the net and rounding his score up, tying with the others who scored their number nine about three minutes ago. They had been passing the ball to and from, almost like they were teasing Tooks' gang until Jared leapt pretty high and saved it before Prida could receive it. Then he had passed it to Tooks, who upped the score.
"Okay guys," Leo said, gathering his group into a little huddle. "We got one more score to go, and if they get it before us you, two better not commit suicide," he said to Prida and Roxanne, who were looking a little pale.
"You okay?" Roxanne asked Prida, who didn't speak, instead she nodded. Raph nudged her and nodded slightly, as in assuring her this next score was theirs.
"Okay," Leo clapped his hands together. "Let's kick butt." He and his team broke out and faced Tooks' team, who were already in positions.
Leo started with the ball by quickly passing it to Roxanne, who dribbled it a few feet and found her path blocked by Jared, whose grin put her off. The ball was taken quickly from her hesitation, and she stared in surprise as Tooks dashed by with it. But it was taken off him only after he had taken it from Roxanne, by Leo.
"Go Leo!" Raph yelled, eyes on the ball but also keeping his mind open around his brother for any idiots who wanted to reclaim the ball. Sure enough Ace came bounding over and was about block Leo's path but Raph charged into him, leaving Leo's path a few seconds clear. That was all Leo needed to get closer to his net, and throw to Prida before Tooks could leap in and grab it.
Prida caught it and passed it around her body as Luke jumped for it and missed, connecting with the wall behind her. She bounced it twice, deciding where to go, and dodged right as Jay tried to grab the ball. She ran with it, turned and skillfully passed it to Raph, who dribbled it closer to his net, jumping over Tooks' leg, which suddenly lashed out about knee height. Raph grinned as he saw Tooks' surprised face, and threw the ball to Roxanne who was right near the net and open. But the ball was intercepted by Luke, who ran like hell away from that end of the court to his, passing it to Tooks and then back to him again.
Prida's heart froze as she saw the ball aim for the net, flying through the air in a perfect line. But it was stopped by Leo again, who seemed to be the best keeper of goals this school had seen. As soon as he landed he was off down to his end of the court.
Through the gathered crowd, two people emerged, watching as something with a blue streak sped past, followed by Tooks' gang.
"Pri!" Leo called, and threw it to her, but Tooks had copied Leo's way of blocking, and jumped in front of the ball, taking control of it. He landed, grinning, and made his way away from the net to his. He knew he was going to win. The opponents were behind him now, completely thrown off that he got the ball. That was good; his win would be easy. He lazily threw a high pass to Jared, who watched it, raised his arms to catch it - but was completely surprised by the sudden flash of purple and then suddenly the ball was no longer heading towards him, but in the hands of one of the brothers.
"Donny!?" Leo called, skidding to a stop and running backwards now his brother was making his way towards him.
"Who did ya think?" Donny grinned. "Your Fairy Basketballer?!"
"Go Donny!" Mikey cheered, standing to the edge, leaning against the wall.
"Explanations later Leo - right now I had two friends to save from a horrible fate!" Donny said as he sped past to the net.
Tooks' gang had recovered from their surprise, and made their way, desperately to the ball.
"Leo!" Donny yelled, and threw the ball to his brother in blue. Leo dribbled it around Tooks who had ran up to him, and passed it to Raph, threw it on the floor so hard it bounced right over Jared, who was going for it, into Roxanne's hands, who made it about a foot or two closer to the net, then was forced to pass it to Leo, who was also trapped. He bounced it, and faked a move to go left, fooling Luke and Jay into diving that way, while he passed it to Prida, who leapt in the air and slam-dunked it.
The whole crowd that they had gathered cheered, clapping enthusiastically.
"YES!" Prida leapt into the air, fist straight up. "We Won! Uh huh!" Roxanne laughed at her as she did a quick jig.
"Yo Prida!" Mikey called from the wall.
"Mikey!" Prida said, and ran up to him. He caught her under the arms and lifted her off the floor as he swung her around, and then put her down. She looked slightly stunned, but her grin never left. She was thoroughly relived she didn't have to go to the nightclub with Tooks; and it seemed Roxanne was as glad too.
"You won!" Mikey grinned, looking into her eyes, which amazingly shone such a clear color purple. "Gimme five dudette!" He slapped her five, and then a low five. They grinned as Leo, Donny, Raph and Roxanne joined them, all grinning.
"Outstanding guys," Leo said, raising his hand. Everyone slapped it, smiles wide from ear to ear.
"Thanks to Donny, who saved us," Prida said, leaning an arm on Donny's shoulder. She watched his cheeks redden ever so slightly.
"I really would have committed suicide if I had to go to the disco with Tooks," Prida said, turning to Leo.
He grinned. "You don't have to now, we saved ya."
"Yeah, we save a lotta people," Mikey said quietly, grin fading slightly. Roxanne didn't hear this because she was now grinning at Tooks' team, who seemed absolutely miserable and angry. Prida however heard, and frowned. Was that just a joke, or did he mean that?
~
(Thanks to Sanata for her encouragement - really appreciated, as well as everyone else's out there ;) )
~
"Alright - hey Mike, don't forget your kit," Leo reminded his brother, for their lunchtime of exercise hopefully today.
It was Thursday morning, and again the guys were late, though not as much as yesterday. They had made sure that they were at least earlier so that April didn't go mad at the steering wheel again. They didn't want a repeat of yesterday.
"Donny - hurry!" Leo shouted up the stairs with a sort of suggesting tone, really hoping that they wouldn't be late. He still had a small bruise on his head from where he was knocked against the window when April made a tight corner, and Raph and Mikey had rammed into him, causing him to hit his head again. Leo called up to his brother again to hurry up.
Donny came hopping down the stairs, trying to shove his black, purple- toed socks on.
"I'm ready!" He said, tripping down the last step, and landing on Mikey who was just passing to grab his rucksack.
"Ow Donny, watch the foot, it's still painful," Mikey warned his brother.
"Mikey? Kit?" Leo asked, bag already on his shoulder, sneakers already on his feet.
"Yes! I got it Leo!" Mikey yelled underneath Donny, who was sat on Mikey, now pulling his sock on much easier.
"Where's Raph?!" Leo said.
"I'm here," Raph said, stood behind him, ready as well for once.
Mikey was now tapping his fingers on the floor, his head in the other hand, waiting for Donny to move so he could get up.
"Done," Donny said, and jumped up. "Hey, after three weeks I'm still a little clumsy with socks."
"Yeah well I ain't got a shell or plastron any more," Mikey complained, rubbing his back, "so don't sit on me again. I could feel my ribcage."
His brothers shook their heads, and Splinter appeared from his room, smiling having just heard. He waked over to the kitchen where he started to make his usual tea, after saying good morning to his sons, and having it said back.
"Okay guys," April said, jogging down the stairs, all ready for work. "You ready?" She hurried about getting her bag ready, and grabbing something from the kitchen to eat at work.
"Did you enjoy your evening yesterday?" Splinter asked his sons, picking up his warm mug and taking it to his chair.
"Yeah, thanks Master," Mikey said, his enthusiasm back. "It was great - we watched a few films, then I did dinner, and then Prida fell asleep and her sister picked her up -"
"Okay, Mikey, we gotta go, save the detail," Leo said, bowing to his Sensei and moving out the door, his brothers and April followed, each saying bye to Splinter, who chuckled at Mikey before the door was closed and locked.
()()()()
School today went more quickly than the guys would have thought. Maybe it was because the start of it had gone well. April hadn't drove as mad as before, and they had got out of the car unscathed. Their registration went fast, and their first class, Math went well . . . for all of them.
"Hey Leo," Prida said as she saw him first time that day in Math. She looked slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry for falling asleep yesterday -"
Leo held up his hands. "I'm not accepting any more 'thanks yous' or 'sorries'."
She laughed and hit him playfully on the arm, then the two took their seats and their class began. Prida was wearing the same blue jeans as Leo was, and a peach colored, baggy-ish top. Leo soon told her what happened after she fell asleep, which was nothing much, but she didn't remember dropping asleep on Raph's shoulder, and she laughed when he told her.
"Hey you up for a little gym activity at lunch?" Leo reminded her.
"Sure, got m' kit," Prida answered, smiling. She seemed more cheerful than usual. Not that she wasn't cheerful before, but there was a little difference.
After Math class, they both walked out together and headed down the Math corridor, coming up to Donny's room, where they waited outside a few seconds for him, before continuing on to Raph and Mikey's room.
"Hey Prida," Donny said as he joined them and they started walking again. "How are ya?" He asked politely.
"I'm great, thanks Don, you seem well."
"I'm good," Donny nodded, walking with Prida in the middle.
Raph and Mikey nearly walked into them as they came level with the door. They hadn't rushed out this time, but walked out casually.
"Hey, why aren't you guys rushing out, with Reily behind you or something?" Donny asked, frowning.
"He's away," Mikey smiled. "Some other dude took the class, and he's cool."
"That's okay because the dude likes the game Rayman as well, and he and Mikey were talking all through the class," Raph said, though he didn't look as bitter as he always did when coming from the Math room.
Then, finished rolling their eyes at each other, they both noticed Prida, and smiled.
"Hey Pri," they both said at the same time, smile faltered and they looked at each other again, shrugged and walked on. Leo, Don and Prida followed.
As they rounded the corner, someone came dashing around it, and knocked into Leo, who lost his balance and landed flat on his butt.
"Owch, oh God, sorry," Roxanne picked herself up after falling too, and rubbed her banged elbow.
Leo was helped up by Mikey. "Oh, hey, no sweat."
"Do you usually dash around corners?" Donny asked.
"No, sorry, I was just - er - outrunning Jared, one of Jo Tooks' stupid friends," Roxanne said, a dark tone in her voice.
"Oh, well, now he's got his little friends on people," Prida muttered, feeling angry. "Don't worry, if he bothers you, just punch him."
Roxanne laughed. "I'll try," she joked back.
Seeing that they were late for their next classes, they all quickly picked up their pace. Mikey disappeared into his Art room a few seconds later, and after that Donny disappeared into his Geography room. The left over four ran over the field and to the Sports Center.
()()()()
"Argh!"
Most of the kids in the corridor turned to look at the cute dude in orange as he yealled in horror at something no one else could see. It was recess, and there was a lot of heads that turned.
"Mikey?" Donny said, uncovering his ears. "Why'd you scream like that? What's wrong?"
They were leaning against the lockers, waiting for Leo, Raph and Prida, maybe accompanied by Roxanne.
"I remembered; I forgot to pack some food!" Mikey cried, as though this was the worst thing you could do.
Donny rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I'm sure Leo woulda packed something - and I'm SURE you can go without eating for one dinner time . . . after all, we don't have much longer here."
"You think he did?" Mikey asked, looking at Donny with those humorously panicked eyes.
"No, not really," Donny answered, looking down the corridor at Tooks, who looked as though he was bullying someone.
"Hi," someone said behind him, and he turned to Michael Deta, who was smiling.
"Oh, hey, Michael," Donny said. "Where've you been for a few days?"
"There's a bug going around, I caught it - no worries though, I'm cured," he laughed.
Leo and co. joined them a minute later, and as Donny thought, Roxanne was with them. She seemed to stay close to Leo at one point, back to him while searching the crowd. Obviously Tooks' gang were more annoying than first appearance, because she seemed to be keeping an eye out for him. And just as Leo arrived, Mikey pounced on him, demanding to know if he brought any food with him.
"Geez, you'd think no one feeds him, or he hasn't eaten for days," Michael laughed.
"Yeah well, that's Mikey," Donny shook his head. "Always got food on the brain."
The bell rang, and most of the corridor dispersed to their rooms. Donny happily announced they had English, and reminded them that they had to have that draft Essay in for today.
"What?" Mikey exclaimed, as they walked to their room. "I haven't even thought about it - and you couldn't have done it because you was with us all day yesterday." He said to Donny.
"Hey, just because I didn't do it on paper doesn't mean I haven't planned in my head," Donny grinned, and glanced at the look of awe on their faces. He shrugged and walked into the English room.
And indeed Donny was right, and the draft Essay was meant to be in for that class. Some other people had finished it, few had started, and the rest hadn't even got that far. The teacher asked a few to read theirs out, and when she picked out Donny, he stood up, waked to the front, and recited his from memory.
"Man, he's freaky," Mikey whispered to Leo, who nodded. "I would never be able to think up all that in my head, and then say it all out."
And fifteen minutes later Donny was still talking. This was a timed speech about how much of Macbeth they understood, so Donny had probably received full marks for the first ten minutes because everyone else's was about five minutes long. After seventeen minutes, the teacher stopped him and said well done, but she had to hear more people. Donny shrugged and sat back down, amazed looks following him.
"Great, now EVERYONE knows YOU," Leo said as Donny sat next to him. "We're meant to be in-vis-a-ble!"
"I couldn't help it," Donny said, lowing his head, but smiling, proud of himself.
It was after their next class, Chemistry, was it lunchtime, and Leo reminded his brothers, exercise time. Leo was looking forward to it, because he could do more than what they do in PE. He had invited Roxanne to join them, and she had agreed, saying she didn't really need anything to eat and would go without. Totally the opposite of Mikey, who, if he heard that, would probably faint.
So after Chemistry, they met up with Prida and Roxanne who were in different rooms, and made their way to the gym. They had asked Leo how he knew if the gym was free, and he replied that on the first day they came here he had asked for the times and bookings of the gym. Thursdays it was free at lunchtimes and after school, so they made their way down there.
"I'll happily just help Raph and Casey kick the vermin in this Town, at least then I could go out and buy something to eat while we're doing it," Mikey complained while getting changed. He had another of Casey's baggy gray T-shirts, and a pair of navy shorts. Donny and Leo had the same, but Raph had slacks, saying he didn't really want to show everyone the massive scar on his shin.
They entered the gym, grabbing a basketball from a pile and shooting a few shots before the girls came out, Prida tying her necklace back. She was never seen without it, not even in PE. Prida wore light lavender purple jogging shorts, which really showed her slim legs, ending in her white sneakers and ankle socks. Roxanne's shorts looked the same except they were blue, and she had no socks on under her bright orange sneakers.
"Yo, catch," Mikey tossed the ball to Prida, and she caught it, twirled it on her finger, passed it round her body and took a lucky shot from where she was. The ball hit the backboard, wobbled on the ring before it slowly fell through the hole.
"Whoa, pretty good," Roxanne said, smiling. Prida smiled back, but then frowned as Roxanne's smile disappeared. She was staring behind Prida, who turned, and her eyes widened.
Jo Tooks strode into the gym with his gang behind him, changed, with a Basketball under one arm. It seemed it had the same idea. He spotted the guys, and then her, and a sick smirk flickered across his face as he looked her up and down. She hated it; she wanted to go get changed right now, but Tooks spoke before she moved.
"Looks like we all had the same idea," he said, the four bros frowning at him in dislike as he moved in-between them. "Wanna play against us? And we'll cut a deal to which ever side wins . . ."
Prida shook her head at Raph, who was about to say something but Leo stepped in, glaring at Tooks.
"We're not making any deal with you, we came here to use the gym by ourselves so why don't you go," he said in a cold tone. Prida sighed in relief and was about to turn to the changing rooms with Roxanne, but -
"What? You don't want to compete?" Tooks grinned. "Afraid we'll win? Can't take it, huh?"
"Shut up Tooks," Leo threatened.
"What are you . . . chicken?" Took grinned nastily.
That did it. Raph pointed a finger. "Okay pal, get ready to lose! You're going down!"
"Raph," Leo groaned. Whenever someone says something insulting Raph could never ignore it. Prida rolled her eyes irritably.
Tooks grinned. "Okay, here's the deal: If our side wins . . . I get to take Prida to the disco -"
"No way!" Raph stormed up to him but Leo held him back. Took appeared unbothered. He glanced at Prida, who was looking mortified. Roxanne was next to her looking disgusted.
"If we WIN," Tooks repeated. "I take Prida to the disco and you guys kiss those Sais goodbye because they'll be mine." He grinned and licked his bottom lip wickedly, then one of his gang stepped up to him and tapped him on the shoulder, muttered something while grinning, and glanced at Roxanne. "Yeah, yeah," Tooks said to him, and turned back to the guys. "And also, Jared here gets her," he pointed to Roxanne, whose face blanked.
"And if we win?" Leo asked, glaring.
"You buy us lunch!" Mikey shouted. He shrugged as everyone looked at him, Leo sighed in annoyance, and turned back to Tooks.
"If we win, you leave Prida alone, and Roxanne, you get off our backs . . . and you don't go saying a word about . . ." Leo said, never breaking eye contact with Tooks, who knew what he was on about.
Thinking it was too hard to leave Prida alone, Took was ready to protest, but instead he nodded, and he and Leo gripped each other's hands tightly to seal the deal. Prida and Roxanne's mouths were open still.
"Geeze, I'm a player, not a pawn that you can sacrifice," she argued, clearly annoyed.
A few people outside of the gym and in the doorway had heard the deal, and had walked in, leant against the wall and were ready to watch. No one said anything to them.
Leo walked up to Prida and Roxanne. "Hey, don't worry, we'll knock em down," he smiled. They returned it, though only half-heartedly.
Since they had six on their team, Leo motioned for Raph to step out until he could swap with someone else. Raph looked as though he was been whipped for no reason, but Leo pointed firmly to the benches against the wall. He thought that it was sensible to take Raph out, because if Tooks gets foul, so would Raph, and they'd be 'accidents'. Hopefully he wouldn't be out the whole game, because it would be a good excuse to run some of his energy down, and Leo didn't fancy being tired while Raph was still hyper.
Tooks and Leo faced each other, glaring, and Mikey held the ball to the side of them. He told them that he and his bros were shooting towards the changing rooms, and Tooks was shooting the other end. Mikey waited a few tense seconds, and then shouted 'GO!' at the same time as he threw the ball up in the air between them.
Both Leo and Tooks leapt into the air, and Leo grabbed the ball; but before he could throw it, he was elbowed in the stomach by Tooks, who then grabbed the ball and threw it to one of his gang, Ace, as he was called. But before Ace caught it, Donny had intercepted it, and was dribbling it here and there, avoiding the other players. He passed the ball to his other hand around his leg as someone dived for it, and threw it to Roxanne, who was open.
Leo was furious with both himself and Tooks. How could he have let him do that? Leo leapt to his feet and ran to help Roxanne, who was surrounded by Tooks' team. People who were watching were cheering.
"Yo! Roxy!" Mikey yelled, hands up, standing behind all of them. Roxanne managed to throw a really high shot to Mikey, who jumped and caught it. Since he was clear, he brought it towards his target, the net. But he heard Leo call out suddenly, and he ducked, saving himself a headache from Jared who was about to bash into him - but fell over Mikey. He may have saved himself a headache, but he just lost the ball. Another of Tooks' smarmy pals, Jay, grabbed it and dribbled it down the court before passing it to Tooks, who took a shot and scored.
His team cheered, as well as a few of the people watching, but most shook their heads and some braved enough to 'boo'. Tooks slapped Jay a high five, and glared triumphantly at Leo, who still had a hand on his stomach.
But the game got a lot more violent. As they continued, Raph thought he'd repay Tooks for what he did to Leo, but since Tooks seemed to be keeping his distance from Raph, the teen in red tripped up Ace as the evil friend-of-the-enemy ran past, knocking him down just as he was about to receive the ball. Even though Raph got a 'Raph, you shouldn't swoop to their level' look from Leo, he felt better.
Now Donny had the ball again, and was making his way fast to his net. Before he could reach it, Luke, the forth member of Tooks' gang, tripped Donny up. But Don fell forwards and into a roll, coming up to face the net and throwing the ball. It landed on the backboard, and spun around on the ring before dropping through. A much louder crowd cheered for that one, and Donny slapped Mikey a high five, grinning.
Tooks' face was sour, and he turned back to his gang and brought his finger across his neck, signaling for his team to 'kill 'em'. Then he turned back, eyes on Prida as she jogged over to Raph on the bench. She was so perfect. Tooks had been after her since they started Kindergarten together. She would soon like him, if not then Tooks could think of other persuasions . . . throwing Raph and his brothers in jail was one. Tooks grinned evilly to himself again. He loved blackmail - but even though he could get those identical four put away, he still wanted to know why all these clues fit in with them, and why, if it was true, did they use the sewers?
The game started to get a lot rougher from Tooks' side, and soon the score was three two to Tooks, and Leo knew he couldn't lose this game at all. It was only until Mikey got injured did he realize their opponents were just as determined as they were.
Tooks had grabbed the ball again, dribbling it a couple of yards before passing it to Jay, who caught it, spun, and passed it to Ace nearer to the net, but Mikey was there to intercept, and he caught the ball. Tooks growled as Mikey ran past Jay and Ace with the ball, stopped, and threw it to Leo, who passed it to Prida, who scored. It was now a tie, and Tooks was mad.
When they resumed play, Tooks threw it to Jared, who dribbled it down the court to their target. While everyone was following him, Tooks ran up behind Mikey, knocking into him and at the same time stamping down as hard as he could on Mikey's foot - the one Tooks himself trapped in the door.
Mikey's face immediately screwed up in pain, and he lifted his foot off the floor, in too much agony to say anything but wince fiercely. Tooks ran past him, half smiling to himself for getting that one back. He had taken a disliking to Mikey for some reason, even though the dude hadn't done anything to him.
Mikey fell to the floor on his butt, eyes mere slits because of the pain, clutching his leg to keep his foot off the floor and to keep from using his muscle to lift it. Everyone was busy trying to engage the others that they didn't notice; all except Raph, who just saw it.
"Mikey!" He leapt off the bench and dashed over to his brother, dropping to the floor next to him.
Tooks' gang had now scored, and the guys, Prida and Roxanne groaned and turned away to walk back up the court. That was when they saw Mikey and Raph on the floor. Leo rushed over frowning, Donny, Rox and Prida right behind.
"Mikey what is it?" Leo asked, quite concerned because Mikey looked in so much pain.
"Tooks," Raph growled, glaring at him. He was about to get up and go over to the git but Leo pulled him down, shaking his head.
"Stood - on my - foot!" Mikey managed.
Donny bent down. "I have to have a look at it, it could have pulled the stitches out or something." Donny gently untied Mikey's sneakers, while Tooks and his gang smirked and laugh nastily.
"Ow!" Mikey moaned, as Donny, as gently as he could, pulled his sneaker off his foot. Relief spread through them when they saw no blood.
"It might have popped the stitches, I'm not sure," Donny said.
Prida knelt down next to Mikey's shoulder, and laid a hand on it.
"Okay, I gotta take ya to the nurse so she can have a look at it and tell you what's the damage," Donny said, putting the sneaker down and lifting Mikey gently under one arm, while Raph got the other. Prida supported his back for him.
"Aw man, just when we were competing, I have to get injured again," Mikey moaned. "S'not fair!" Donny dragged him away.
Tooks and the others were pointing to poor Mikey and laughing still, and Leo felt so angry. He fixed Raph with his eyes and gave his head a small, firm jerk, meaning 'get in this game now!' Raph obediently stepped up, now part of the game, glaring at Tooks and flexing his fingers. Leo didn't care if Tooks got hurt now; that was the second time he deliberately hurt Mikey, and Leo wouldn't stand for anyone to hurt his brothers and get away with it.
"You're going down," Raph said as they all got ready to resume the game. " . . . painfully . . ." Raph added.
Tooks only glared back and said, "Not if you wanna keep your identical butts outta jail." Raph ground his teeth together; steam practically rising from him.
For the next part of the game, Leo took the ball, and passed it to Prida. They now only had four players, while Tooks still had five. Tooks seemed happy about this, which made the others angrier.
Prida was dribbling it down the middle of the court, coming up to her target. Tooks and his gang flanked her, and she glanced back quickly to see. Roxanne was behind the lot in case they grabbed the ball and she could sneak it back from behind.
She stared to her right at Raph, and prepared to throw the ball to him, and Tooks' group immediately started to rush over and try to intercept.
"Leo!" Prida called, and, while still looking at Raph, she threw the ball to her left to Leo, who caught it and slam-dunked it.
"Yes!" Prida grinned, and pumped her fist in the air. Raph slapped her a high five, while Leo, still hanging from the ring, fell lightly to the floor.
Jay, Ace, Jared and Luke were all confused with the name change, but Tooks was furious. They were tying again, and he couldn't let them. Time to injure someone else, but who? Tooks didn't want Prida to be harmed at all; that Leo was too much a leader, but he could keep everyone else in check, which was a good thing but also a bad; Roxanne was okay, Tooks was sure Jared wanted to see her running around; Raph was too dangerous, threatening Tooks . . . he would have to go. Tooks called his group over and he told them who to try and take out, if necessary, knock out. To Tooks, the brothers were almost recognizable from each other, apart from Leo and Donny, who he got mixed up; but his teammates didn't have a clue who was who, so it would have to be color-coded. Tooks pointed out the one in the red bandanna, and they all grinned evilly.
Leo saw the little huddle, and the evil grins, and didn't like it one bit. They had been snickering at Raph. Leo looked at his brother, who was scanning the audience they had gathered. Leo looked back to Tooks to see them all slap hands and break up. What were they going to do?
It was, to Leo, either an accident, or was just to be unfair, what two of them did as the game continued. Roxanne had the ball after taking it from Jay easily, and she took it down to her net, ready to pass to Raph, who seemed to be open. Leo was stood with his arms ready just in case she decided to throw to him. But as Rox threw the ball, Jay and Jared came up amazingly fast on either side of Raph, jumping into the air and crushing the teen in-between them. Raph, who was just about to jump for the ball, was stopped about two inches above the floor, and elbowed rather hard on the head as Jay's arm grabbed the ball and jerked back from the impact as it hit his palm. They all fell back with gravity, and Raph fell to the floor, hand on his head and looking dazed. Leo and the others had stared for that second, but Raph got up, unscathed, but a slight disorientated expression on his face. Roxanne had dashed after Jay who now had the ball, while Prida and Leo ran up to Raph.
"You oka -" Leo began.
"I'm fine, get the ball," Raph said shortly, fire in his eyes, even though his face was neutral.
Leo nodded and shot off after Roxanne. Prida put a hand on Raph's arm, looking concerned.
Tooks wasn't too happy viewing this. He snorted, and growled even more as Leo jumped an amazing height in the air, saving the ball before it dropped into Tooks' net only a foot away. Before Leo had landed he had thrown it to Roxanne, over the heads of the others. Roxanne grabbed it, and dribbled it down the court back to their net, way ahead of any of Tooks' gang. She had a grin on her face, and Leo watched with his own smrik as she threw and scored. She threw her hands in the air, and Prida ran over and slapped her a high five and a low five. They grinned and looked at Leo, who looked impressed by the girls' basketball skills.
Tooks noticed how they seemed to look to Leo for appraisal; maybe he should be taken down instead of Raph. Taking both of them out wouldn't be easy, and of course Prida would hate Tooks more and he didn't want that. It would have to be one of them . . . Tooks smiled to himself. He could be so evil sometimes, just to get what he wants.
The next part was long as neither got any scores because everyone seemed much too determined to keep the ball away from their opponents net. Ace started off with the ball, and managed to pass it around Roxanne to Jared, who grinned as Roxanne ran to him. She stopped, and Jared took this opportunity to dribble it down his court. But Leo ran across his path and he was forced to throw to Tooks, who was about to grab it but a flash of sandy colored hair and a slip of red passed him, and the ball was no longer aiming at him. It was bouncing its way down the court in Raph's hand. Tooks growled, and ran after him. Luke and Jared ran at the side of Raph, and the red teen passed to Leo, just as the two stuck a leg out in front of both of Raph's, and he went tumbling, unable to jump over them. Jared and Luke grinned and set off after the ball and Leo, who was dangerously close to his net. Raph jumped back up, nose stinging and bleeding where he had smacked it on the floor. He was mad.
"We should have had Donny devise a strategy for this," Leo muttered to himself as he watched Prida pass to Roxanne. "This is something different to what we usually tackle." Man he felt restrained because this opponent was one he couldn't beat to a pulp.
As Roxanne was about to dribble closer to their net, she found herself trapped, and knowing the opposite team would get the ball anyway if she threw to the net, she passed it back to Prida, who caught it, dribbled slightly closer, leapt and scored. But when she landed, the oncoming wave of opponents couldn't stop themselves in time and crashed into her, knocking her to the floor. She let out a cry of surprise that cut off quickly as she impacted with the floor.
Leo dashed over to her, while the others, Jay, Jared, Ace and Luke all looked actually sorry and guilty, moved away. Tooks stormed up to them looking furious.
"Don't dare do that again," he threatened darkly, though he was usually nice with his friends.
His friends looked guilty and said they'd be more careful, because Tooks reminded them that if she injured herself then he wouldn't be able to go with her to the disco, which would make him angry, and a living hell to go to school with. But they did say it was an accident.
Roxanne and Raph joined Leo and Prida, who were climbing to their feet.
"Ow, my ankle," Prida winced, lifting her foot off the floor, balancing on her other while holding onto Leo's shoulder for support.
"I think you ought to sit it out," Leo said, then biting his lip.
"No! I can't," Prida said, frowning, as though what Leo said was totally insane. "I have to help you guys, you'll only have three players!"
"Prida, you can't run," Roxanne pointed out, hands on hips.
Prida looked at Leo, with a face what Mikey would cringe at because it was exactly what he does when he wants to do something when everyone's arguing against it. Leo smiled ever so slightly and raised an eyebrow, as in saying 'Nope, I'm not letting you continue.' Prida instead turned her cute puppy-dog eyes on Raph.
"Out," he said, pointing to the bench, then slapping himself mentally for sounding like Leo. Prida gave up, and limped over to the bench where she sat down, arms folded as though she had been bad and had been told off.
Tooks watched her limp. It didn't look that bad, but for once he secretly agreed with the other three for sending her out. It could get worse, and then where would he be without her to accompany him to the disco? He turned back, grabbing the ball, which Luke had just passed to him, and the game started again.
"What exactly are we going to?" Roxanne asked, counting their scores so far, which was six four to them. Two more than Tooks' team.
"Ten!" Jared, who was running past, shouted, grinning at her.
"Thanks for informing us now!" Raph growled. "He could have said eight at the beginning, and since we're winning changed it to ten so he had a better chance of catching up . . ."
Leo agreed with his brother, it was probably something Tooks would do; but they would go to ten anyway.
Prida watched from her bench as Tooks took possession of the ball and made his way down to his net with it. Leo ran across his path and snatched the ball out the way, but just after he did, he was tripped by Jared, who then grabbed the ball. He passed back to Tooks, who was closest to the net and scored. Roxanne narrowed her eyes at Jared and ran to help Leo to his feet.
"You okay?" She asked, grabbing his arm and pulling him up, surprised for a brief second because of the hidden muscles that she could feel.
"I'm good," Leo assured her, and glanced at Tooks who was smirking.
Prida realized later that, injured ankle or no injured ankle, they needed her in. As Leo took the ball this time, it looked like his team was going for another score, until Ace ran into Leo, who managed to throw the ball to Raph before Ace could grab it. But Raph was attacked too. He leapt out the way as Jay ran at him, and spun away from Luke; but he couldn't avoid collision with Ace, and they both went down, the ball bounced a few times before it was picked up by Tooks, who took it down the court, passing it to Jared, and then scored. This wasn't basketball, this was like friggin' football!
"Alright!" Jared slapped Tooks a high five. They were even once again, and it seemed that everyone on the opposite team was injured except for Roxanne, who was looking worried.
"This isn't fair," Roxanne said to the two bros, who were picking themselves off the floor. "Those guys are gonna flatten us, literately."
"No way," Raph growled. "No one flattens us." He turned to Leo while Roxanne turned around to look at Tooks' gang. "Leo, this ain't us. It must be this stupid human body that's slowing us down! I mean, we were just crunched by a couple of humans."
"Raph, I think it's just because we don't realize that this isn't just a normal game," Leo said, glancing to see if Roxanne or anyone was listening. "We're loosing focus; concentrate, I'm sure we'll kick butt . . . "He grinned. "Think of Tooks as a Foot member." Then to make sure that had an effect, he added, "the Foot member that left Prida in the fire . . ."
Raph narrowed his eyes.
However, either Raph was right and it was their human bodies slowing them down; or Leo was right and the fact that it was a game didn't have the great persuasion of winning as it did if it were life threatening against the Foot. Just after the two brothers had spoken about it, they found the ball had again been snatched from their hands, and out through the net on the opposite team. Tooks was now one score ahead again.
As they all grinned wickedly and slapped hands, Leo, Raph and Roxanne made their way to Prida on the bench. She had her arms crossed and had put on an expression more or less saying 'admit it, you need me'.
"Looks like Tooks is one ahead again," Prida said, making herself look casual, but forcing that tone in her voice that was warningly.
They all glanced at her, and she continued to look away, fighting to smile. She knew they wanted to ask her back in.
"You wanna -" Leo started.
"Already in," Prida grinned, and held her hand up for a high five. He looked at it, smiled and slapped it, and they all stood up.
"You are stubborn when you want to be, ya know," Leo said, smiling.
"It's the only way to get ahead in this school," Prida grinned back. She looked happier now she was back in the game, and completely ignored the pain in her angle, which had lessened since the accident.
And indeed she felt happier knowing she was up there to kick Tooks' butt; and Leo and the others knew she helped them out getting back their lost scores. They managed to play perfectly, passing the ball to and from. It was a funny feeling, but Leo got the impression that Prida seemed to be the encouragement they all needed to play this game. Tooks didn't seem too happy about it, but he did at least seem relived that Prida's ankle was fine. It wasn't long before they were all on nine scores each, Tooks just having managed to get past Roxanne to slam it in the net and rounding his score up, tying with the others who scored their number nine about three minutes ago. They had been passing the ball to and from, almost like they were teasing Tooks' gang until Jared leapt pretty high and saved it before Prida could receive it. Then he had passed it to Tooks, who upped the score.
"Okay guys," Leo said, gathering his group into a little huddle. "We got one more score to go, and if they get it before us you, two better not commit suicide," he said to Prida and Roxanne, who were looking a little pale.
"You okay?" Roxanne asked Prida, who didn't speak, instead she nodded. Raph nudged her and nodded slightly, as in assuring her this next score was theirs.
"Okay," Leo clapped his hands together. "Let's kick butt." He and his team broke out and faced Tooks' team, who were already in positions.
Leo started with the ball by quickly passing it to Roxanne, who dribbled it a few feet and found her path blocked by Jared, whose grin put her off. The ball was taken quickly from her hesitation, and she stared in surprise as Tooks dashed by with it. But it was taken off him only after he had taken it from Roxanne, by Leo.
"Go Leo!" Raph yelled, eyes on the ball but also keeping his mind open around his brother for any idiots who wanted to reclaim the ball. Sure enough Ace came bounding over and was about block Leo's path but Raph charged into him, leaving Leo's path a few seconds clear. That was all Leo needed to get closer to his net, and throw to Prida before Tooks could leap in and grab it.
Prida caught it and passed it around her body as Luke jumped for it and missed, connecting with the wall behind her. She bounced it twice, deciding where to go, and dodged right as Jay tried to grab the ball. She ran with it, turned and skillfully passed it to Raph, who dribbled it closer to his net, jumping over Tooks' leg, which suddenly lashed out about knee height. Raph grinned as he saw Tooks' surprised face, and threw the ball to Roxanne who was right near the net and open. But the ball was intercepted by Luke, who ran like hell away from that end of the court to his, passing it to Tooks and then back to him again.
Prida's heart froze as she saw the ball aim for the net, flying through the air in a perfect line. But it was stopped by Leo again, who seemed to be the best keeper of goals this school had seen. As soon as he landed he was off down to his end of the court.
Through the gathered crowd, two people emerged, watching as something with a blue streak sped past, followed by Tooks' gang.
"Pri!" Leo called, and threw it to her, but Tooks had copied Leo's way of blocking, and jumped in front of the ball, taking control of it. He landed, grinning, and made his way away from the net to his. He knew he was going to win. The opponents were behind him now, completely thrown off that he got the ball. That was good; his win would be easy. He lazily threw a high pass to Jared, who watched it, raised his arms to catch it - but was completely surprised by the sudden flash of purple and then suddenly the ball was no longer heading towards him, but in the hands of one of the brothers.
"Donny!?" Leo called, skidding to a stop and running backwards now his brother was making his way towards him.
"Who did ya think?" Donny grinned. "Your Fairy Basketballer?!"
"Go Donny!" Mikey cheered, standing to the edge, leaning against the wall.
"Explanations later Leo - right now I had two friends to save from a horrible fate!" Donny said as he sped past to the net.
Tooks' gang had recovered from their surprise, and made their way, desperately to the ball.
"Leo!" Donny yelled, and threw the ball to his brother in blue. Leo dribbled it around Tooks who had ran up to him, and passed it to Raph, threw it on the floor so hard it bounced right over Jared, who was going for it, into Roxanne's hands, who made it about a foot or two closer to the net, then was forced to pass it to Leo, who was also trapped. He bounced it, and faked a move to go left, fooling Luke and Jay into diving that way, while he passed it to Prida, who leapt in the air and slam-dunked it.
The whole crowd that they had gathered cheered, clapping enthusiastically.
"YES!" Prida leapt into the air, fist straight up. "We Won! Uh huh!" Roxanne laughed at her as she did a quick jig.
"Yo Prida!" Mikey called from the wall.
"Mikey!" Prida said, and ran up to him. He caught her under the arms and lifted her off the floor as he swung her around, and then put her down. She looked slightly stunned, but her grin never left. She was thoroughly relived she didn't have to go to the nightclub with Tooks; and it seemed Roxanne was as glad too.
"You won!" Mikey grinned, looking into her eyes, which amazingly shone such a clear color purple. "Gimme five dudette!" He slapped her five, and then a low five. They grinned as Leo, Donny, Raph and Roxanne joined them, all grinning.
"Outstanding guys," Leo said, raising his hand. Everyone slapped it, smiles wide from ear to ear.
"Thanks to Donny, who saved us," Prida said, leaning an arm on Donny's shoulder. She watched his cheeks redden ever so slightly.
"I really would have committed suicide if I had to go to the disco with Tooks," Prida said, turning to Leo.
He grinned. "You don't have to now, we saved ya."
"Yeah, we save a lotta people," Mikey said quietly, grin fading slightly. Roxanne didn't hear this because she was now grinning at Tooks' team, who seemed absolutely miserable and angry. Prida however heard, and frowned. Was that just a joke, or did he mean that?
~
(Thanks to Sanata for her encouragement - really appreciated, as well as everyone else's out there ;) )